US Immigration from Philippines

Hi all.

I have not been here for a while and I was a victim of the embassy shutdown/slowdown (2 year additional wait). Have they retuned to any semblence of normalcy?

Hello,

Has anyone here been issued a 221G at the US Embassy in Manila? I'm particularly interested in those who started to go through this process in 2022.

Long story short - my spouse's visa interview on Dec. 12, 2022 went well but they asked for the following through the 221G letter:

1) The *original* NBI clearance (we brought in a copy by accident)

2) An upload of my 2021 tax returns to CEAC (we brought in the physical copy but the ones that were approved during the DS-260 process were those for 2020 and thus they asked us to upload the 2021 tax returns to CEAC)

We uploaded/submitted this on the day itself via LBC and they arrived (confirmed with the Embassy) on Dec. 14, 2022.

I'm hoping that a case like this won't take too long to process (especially since his NBI clearance and medical exam results both expire by the first week of March 2023) - however, have read a lot of 221g horror stories online and would love perspective from someone who's gone through this recently.

Please let me know - thanks!

We got an email today:

"The U.S. Embassy/Consulate General in MANILA, PHIL approved your request for expedited processing of your immigrant visa application. The National Visa Center sent your immigrant visa application to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate General in MANILA, PHIL for their action. The Embassy/Consulate General will contact you soon to schedule a visa interview."

We never requested an expedite, and we're really not in a hurry. How does this happen?

Hello again, everyone. Last night I started thinking, and was wondering how long after I marry my Fiance, do we have to save up the money for our change of status and pay the fee? Do we have to do it within the 90 days or do we have a grace period after we are married so that we can save the money for this step?

My 84 year old in-law from the Philippines has her B2 interview next month. Does she need to have a medical exam before that or are medical exams only for immigrant visas?